Press Kit
12th Annual Chilly Chili Cookoff results
News from Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce, March 6, 2015
Contact: Jaimie Crawford, Jaimie@MtWashingtonValley.org, 603-356-5701 x304
Chilly Chili Cookoff deemed a success
More than 600 chili tasters attended the 12th Annual chili cookoff
North Conway, NH - More than 600 people strolled North Conway Village in pursuit of the perfect chili on February 28th. Marking the 12th year of the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce bringing chefs, non-profits and retailers together, the Chilly Chili Cookoff showcased more than forty-five chilis created by restaurants and individual competitors.
Restaurants and shops throughout North Conway Village got involved by offering tastings or other chili-themed offers including beer, mead and wine tastings or special discounts. Larry and Diane Flaherty, owners of The Met Coffee Shop, hosted a chili stop on the stroll and were enthused by the amount of people coming in to sample the chili, take a photo-op at the chili photo event was a huge success for The Met and for the village.”
Professional Chefs competed at the Gibson Center for Senior Services and were judged on International Chili Society standards, including aroma, taste and texture. Chef Maureen Reilly of the Stow Corner Store won the first place prize for best chili with Chef Seammus McGrath of McGrath’s Tavern coming in second and Chef Chris Nelson of The White Mountain Hotel placing third in the Professional division. Chef Frank Welch of Hillbilly’s Southern BBQ won the Professional Cornbread competition and Stonehurst Manor won the top place for Best Booth Theme.
The People’s Choice competition was open to all non-profit organizations and chefs who wanted to sponsor a non-profit, and was held at the North Conway Community Center. The winners of the non-profit competition were selected by public vote. Chef Vincent Matturo of Ben and Jerry’s Scoop Shop took the first place honors in the Non-profit division. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, sponsored by Stonehurst Manor and prepared by Chef Avi Deiter came in second place, and Chef Laura Thomson of the Freedom Village Store came in third place. Chef Deborah Jasien representing M&D Productions won the honors for best cornbread and Rumney Hill Excavation won honors for the best booth theme.
“We are so pleased with the response to the chili cookoff, not only from those who participated, but from those who came to enjoy the event as well,” Event Director, Mary Seavey said. “Each year the cookoff happens, more and more visitors make a weekend out of this foodie adventure, giving the Valley a wonderful economic boost as we enter March. We can’t thank enough the chefs, sponsors, volunteers and shops who all came together to help make this event a success,” finished Seavey.
Sponsors of the 12th Annual Chili Cookoff include Eastern Propane, Mt. Washington Radio Group, Eastern Slope Inn and The Valley Originals; its Cayenne Pepper sponsor, Varsity Beverage; its in-kind sponsors, Hannaford, Lindt Chocolate, The Skinny Towel and Cabot Cheese; as well as its host sponsors Gibson Center for Senior Services and North Conway Community Center and Horsefeathers.
For more information on Mt Washington Valley visit www.MtWashingtonValley.org.
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Photos available here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mwvchamber/sets/72157650733969959/.